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THE BOARD IN SHEERNESS 381
9 a.m. I return you Duncan's letters, which are veryunpleasant,
but bad as they are, I rather fear we must come
to that issue at last You will of course shew this to
Mr. Pitt, &c.
Marsden to Nepean.
Dear Nepean,
Rochester,
29 May, 1797,
Midnight.
I wrote you this morning a brief account of our negociation,
and I am sorry to add that the hopes I expressed were not
fulfilled. The delegates, or rather the majority of them, insisted
upon new conditions, and the Board found it necessary to leave
Sheerness, which was done at half-past eight this evening. It
now remains to try what vigorous measures will produce, after
having in vain attempted to persuade them to accept His
Majesty's pardon. Sir Charles is prepared to cut off all
communication with them, and I think they will soon find their
situation more alarming than they have been used to consider
it. Mr. Parker's letters will amuse you. I shall not be much
surprised to hear that they have hanged him by one of his own
yard-ropes, for his assumed importance begins to give considerable
umbrage. We expect that the Clyde, the SanFiorenzo (whose
delegates were driven away from their last meeting on shore)
will anchor at the Little Nore to-night, and possibly the
Director may follow the example. Particular directions were
given to the Admiral for his guidance previously to our setting
off, and all who from henceforth attempt to land will be
detained, the gun boats stopped, &ca. When the salute was
fired to-day, the red flag was at the main, and the royal standard
at the fore. Such is their insolence. After all, I cannot help
thinking it probable that they will all, or almost all, come in,
upon finding that there is to be nothing more got by parleying
and that Qovernment mean to act with firmness and decision.
You will know in the morning by the telegraph if any decided
step has been taken either by their High Mightinesses or by
those who have the command on shore. I am satisfied that
Sir Charles Grey will do everything that he ought to do. It is
to be regretted that he did not command the Austrian armies
in Italy. Please to recollect that this is written after supper.
The people at the Nore have certainly been encouraged to
hold out by the prospect of assistance from the disaffected of